Proof drier



S. L. KARL PROOF DRIER Oct. 9, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 7, 1960 INVENTOR. .S'n var-ER L. K424 fates Patented Oct. 9, 1962 ice 3,057,081 PROOF DRIER Sylvester L. Karl, St. Louis Park, Minn. Filed Oct. 7, 1960, Ser. No. 61,119 2 Claims. (Cl. 34-195) This invention relates generally to drying equipment and particularly to apparatus for drying printers proofs or similar hard surfaced paper sheets which are resistant to moisture or ink absorption.

In making of printing proofs ink is applied to paper having a relatively hard surface so that the printing might be sufliciently sharp to enable clear-cut plates or photographs to be made therefrom. Paper of this type obviously absorbs a very negligible amount of ink applied thereto and thus an extended drying period is required under sun lamps or the like before the proofs are sufficently dry to handle without smudging.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved drier designed and adapted to dry printers proofs much more rapidly than heretofore known devices and methods.

Another object of the invention is to provide a drying apparatus for printers proofs or the like in which several proofs may be subjected to the drying operation simultaneously and in which various proofs may be admitted or removed without interrupting the drying action on others in the apparatus.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a drying apparatus for printers proofs or similar items adapted to dry several items simultaneously by exposing them to warm moving air and wherein such air is so distributed as to dry the items at an equal rate.

With these objects in mind the invention broadly comprises a box-like cabinet containing a plurality of removable perforate drying racks or shelves arranged in vertically spaced positions, a fresh air passage, suction fan and air heating means arranged in series within the cabinet for providing a constant supply of fresh warm air in the cabinet, and an air distributing means for vertically distributing such warm air to the space between the shelves and to move the air horizontally through the cabinet after it has been so distributed so as to remove moisture from items disposed upon the shelves. The invention is further characterized by structure which provides for exhausting the major portion of the used or moistened air from the cabinet while retaining a smaller portion thereof for mixture and recirculation with the fresh outside air being drawn into the cabinet.

The above-mentioned and still other objects will be brought to light during the course of the following specification, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a plan view of the drier with the top wall of the cabinet partially broken away for observation of the rear area of the cabinet interior.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the drier cabinet with the near side walls broken away to show the path of air flow through the drier.

FIG. 3 is a partial inverted plan view of the drier.

FIG. 4 is a transverse vertical section taken along line 44 of FIG. 2 and looking rearwardly.

FIG. 5 is a front elevation of the drier.

FIG. 6 is a transverse vertical section taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 2 and looking forwardly.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings reference numerals will be used to denote like parts and structural features in the different views. The drier cabinet is denoted generally by the numeral 10. This cabinet is a box-shaped, forwardly opening enclosure having a top wall 11, a bottom wall 12, a rear wall 14 and side walls 15. The cabinet is mounted on a base 16 which is secured to the bottom wall 12. At the front of the cabinet a flange 17 extends across the top thereof depending from the top wall 11. Flanges 18 extend vertically along the sides of the front end of the cabinet and a flange 19 extends horizontally between the side flanges l8 and across the bottom of the front end of the cabinet. Flanges 17, 18 and 19 accordingly jointly frame the opening at the front end of the cabinet 10.

A drying chamber, designated generally at 13, is provided within the cabinet 10. This chamber has a top wall 20, a bottom wall 21, side walls 22 and a rear wall 24, with the chamber opening forwardly through the frame formed at the front end of the cabinet.

The top, bottom and side walls of the drying chamber 13 are respectively spaced inwardly from the top, bottom and side walls of the cabinet 10. Accordingly, the space designated at 25 between the walls 21 and 12 extends across the entire width of the cabinet and provides an air flow passage extending longitudinally of the cabinet and under the chamber 13.

A plurality of shelf support channels 26 are mounted in tranversely opposing positions on the side walls 22 of the inner or drying chamber. These channels are adapted to receive drying racks 27 and support them in vertically spaced, horizontal positions within the drying chamber. The racks 27 are rectangular in shape and are perforate to allow the free passage of air therethrough. The racks shown in the drawings are formed of aluminum screening with a peripheral frame to lend rigidity thereto. Each of the racks is provided with a front panel 28 which extends across the front opening of the cabinet between the side flanges 18. A knob 29 is mounted at the center of each panel 28 for use in moving the tray into or out of the drying chamber. The panels 28 are of such a vertical dimension as to leave spaces 30 therebetween (as shown in FIG. 5) when all of the racks 27 are in position within the cabinet.

The bottom wall 12 of the cabinet is provided with a series of apertures 31 along the side and front marginal portions exposing the air passage 25 to the atmosphere. The bottom wall 21 of the drying chamber is provided with a series of apertures 32 along the front marginal portion thereof, as shown in FIG. 2.

The rear area of the cabinet 10, disposed behind the wall 24, may be referred to as an air circulating and heating compartment and is designated by the numeral 34. A fan 35 is mounted within the compartment 34 and this fan has a driving motor 36, an intake side 37 (FIG. 2) and an exhaust nozzle 38. An air heating chamber 39 is mounted within the compartment 34 in communication with the nozzle 38. An electrical heating element 40 is disposed within the chamber 39. The fan motor 36 and heating element 40 are connected to a suitable electric power source.

At the front of the cabinet and on one of the panels 18 there is provided a signal light 41 which is in electrical circuitry with the heating element 40 to give a visual signal indicating when the heating element is receiving electrical current. Switches 42 also mounted at the front of the cabinet are respectively electrically connected to the fan and the heating element. An interior thermostat 50 having an outside control knob 51 is electrically connected to heating element 40.

A duct 44 extends upwardly from the chamber 39 and has a forward opening at its upper end providing the only outlet therefrom. This duct has a deflector 45 at its upper end for directing air downwardly along the front side of a rearwardly and upwardly inclined air distributing wall 46. At its sides the wall 46 has downwardly diverging flanges 47 which meet the rear wall 24 of the drying chamber. Accordingly, the wall 46 and side walls 47 provide a vertical trough which increases in width in its downward extension and which opens forwardly into the drying chamber 13.

In operation of the drier the trays or racks 27 are first loaded with the proofs or other materials to be dried and placed in position within the drying chamber 13. Switches 42 are then actuated to make the fan 35 and heating element 40 operative. As the fan is driven air will be drawn into the air flow passage 25 through the openings 31 in the bottom of the cabinet. This air will then be circulated through the heating chamber 39, where its temperature is raised, and then forced upwardly through the duct 44 and downwardly along the air fiow wall 46. Inasmuch as this wall 46 increases in width in its downward extension, the air passing downwardly thereover will be evenly distributed vertically to the various drying racks 27 and will be moved forwardly thereover, drying the proofs or other printed articles ,which may be disposed thereon. As the air moves forwardly through the drying chamber a major portion thereof will be exhausted forwardly between the front panels 28 and the remainder thereof will pass downwardly through the trays and apertures 32 to be recirculated through the cabinet. Accordingly, fresh incoming air is partially warmed by mixture with the used air prior to its passing into the heating chamber.

It is understood that suitable modifications may be made in the structure as disclosed, provided such modifications come within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Having now therefore fully illustrated and described my invention, what I claim to be new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. In a proof drier a box-like cabinet having a top wall, a bottom wall, side walls and a rear wall leaving the front of the cabinet open, a plurality of shelves slidably supported in vertically spaced positions in the cabinet for removal through the front thereof, front panels on the shelves adapted to jointly substantially close the front of the cabinet when the shelves are diposed therein, a compartment between the shelves and the rear wall of the cabinet, an air flow chamber above the cabinet bottom wall in open communication with said compartment, the cabinet bottom wall having a plurality of apertures exposing the air flow chamber to the atmosphere, a suction fan in the compartment, a heating unit in the compartment connected with the exhaust end of the suction fan, an upright trough extending along the rear edges of the shelves and opening forwardly toward the shelves, a duct extending from the heating unit and adapted to .project air carried from the unit downwardly through the trough, and the side walls of the trough diverging .in their downward extension to distribute air equally to the shelves.

2. The subject matter of claim 1 wherein the trays are formed of perforate screening material for free passage of air therethrough.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

